2 Days in Quito, Ecuador: A Spectacular Ecuadorian Center

Quito, a city high in the Andes Mountains, is the capital city of Ecuador. It has one of the best-preserved colonial centers and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quito also offers a great base for day trips to various other places in Ecuador. 2 days in Quito is just the right amount of time to see all of the main sites and get a feel for what life and culture are like in the city. Quito is the perfect place to start your Ecuador itinerary.

Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Quito here. 

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Where to Stay for 2 Days in Quito

TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Quito and Ecuador hotels here!

I recommend staying in the La Plaza Foch (La Zone) area when spending 2 days in Quito. This area contains a lot of restaurants, shops, and several pedestrian-only areas. For a more luxurious hotel, stay at the Hilton Colon Quito Hotel. This is the hotel that was part of our tour. It was very nicely kept and had lots of English-speaking workers to help out.

For more budget accommodations, stay at Hotel LEF. This local family-owned hotel was small but boasted a very friendly staff. The rooms were a decent size. We liked that it had a locked fence around the property and anyone who wanted to come in had to get buzzed in through the lobby. It even included a home-cooked breakfast! It was a similar experience to a Bed-and-Breakfast. We paid $57/night for this hotel.

Transportation in Quito

The easiest way to get around during your 2 days in Quito is to take taxis. Although there is a bus system, it can be complicated to use, and the bus stops are not as convenient as a taxi. Taxis are also pretty cheap. Just make sure to ask and settle on the price before getting into the taxi. None of the fares within Quito should be over $10.

Check out these tips for managing altitude sickness when visiting Quito.

Day 1 in Quito

Today, you will spend the majority of the day wandering around the Old Town of Quito. There are a ton of unique and gorgeous buildings to see, and it is the perfect way to start day one of 2 days in Quito. The following are all buildings in the Old Town area that can be seen in whichever order you choose. When you get hungry, opt to stop at Café Dios No Muere for some food.

Basilica del Voto Nacional (La Basílica)

Cost: $2

Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-4:30pm, Sat-Sun: 9am-5:30pm

For the first stop during your 2 days in Quito, stop at La Basilica. The Basilica of the National Vow opened its doors in 1988. This cathedral is known for its Gothic style and is the largest Neo-Gothic Basilica in the Americas. There are a ton of gargoyles along the outside and a variety of stained glass along the inside. The interior of the church is very ornate. Make sure to visit the towers for remarkable views of Quito. 

Carondelet Palace 

Cost: Free

Hours: Daily 9am-12pm, 3pm-5pm

The Presidential Palace is the seat of the Ecuadorian government and houses the President’s Office. It supposedly has been around for over 300 years. The outside of the palace is considered an archeological masterpiece. The inside contains a variety of artwork, murals, and several reception rooms. Visitors are allowed on the bottom floor while the third floor is the residence of the president and his family. Plan to spend a little bit of time wandering the group floor. 

Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús 

Cost: $5 General Admission, free the first Sunday of the month

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 9:30am-6:30pm, Fri: 9:30am-5:30pm, Sat: 9:30am-4pm, Sun: 12:30pm-4pm

The Church of the Jesuits took over 160 years to complete and was finally completed in 1765. It is one of the most popular churches in Quito because of how ornate it is. The floor plan of the church makes a cross and the inside of this cathedral is decorated entirely in gold. Make sure to check out the main altar and the art along the sides of the church as well.

Iglesia de San Francisco 

Cost: Free

Hours: Mon-Sat: 7am-12pm, 3pm-5:30pm, Sun: 7am-12pm

The Church of Saint Francis is a cathedral and covenant in the Plaza de San Francisco in Quito. It was built in the 1500s and took over 140 years to finish building. The complex is huge and makes up about 13 different cloisters. Throughout the complex, there are over 3,500 works of art.

Plaza de Independencia 

After spending some time exploring the various churches, head over to Independence Square. Independence Square is the main square of Quito and dates back to 1809. There are a few shops in this area, as well as the Presidential Palace and several churches. This is a great place to stop and relax for a bit while grabbing a bite to eat. 

End the day with wandering around Calle de La Ronda. This is the main shopping street of Quito and there are tons of cute stores to look around in. If you want any souvenirs, this is the best area to get anything.

Day 2 in Quito

Day 2 is all about the views of Quito. Since Quito is located so high in the Andes Mountains, it provides a ton of impressive views of the area. There are plenty of things to keep you busy in 2 days in Ecuador. 

Pichincha TelefériQo 

Cost: $7.50 round trip for foreigners

Hours: 9am-7pm

Start today out by taking the Pichincha TelefériQo up to the base of the Pichincha Volcano. This cable car opened in 2005 and progresses over 2,000 feet in 20 minutes. It brings you to some amazing viewpoints high above Quito. There are also some great swings to sit on to take fantastic pictures. If you are up for a hike, you can hike to the summit of the active Pichincha Volcano. Beware that this is a strenuous hike, so make sure to take snacks and water with you. Also, allow for a couple of hours to hike to the top in order not to feel rushed. 

Grab Lunch at Pim’s 

Cost: $$

Hours: Mon-Sat: 12pm-10pm, Sun: 12pm-6pm

After hiking around for a few hours, a nice meal will be much needed. Pim’s is one of the most popular and highly rated restaurants in Quito. This restaurant has two locations within Quito: one near Loma El Panecillo, and the other is near Parque Itchimbia. Opt to visit the one by Loma El Panecillo because it has the more impressive views of the two. The menu consists of soups, salads, and a variety of chicken, steak, fish, and pork options. I opted to get a steak and it was delicious. 

Loma El Panecillo

Cost: Free

Hours: Mon-Wed: 9am-5pm, Thurs-Sun: 9am-9pm

After lunch, climb up Loma El Panecillo. It offers spectacular views of Quito and is a short walk away from Pim’s. This angel statue overlooks Quito and is the tallest aluminum statue in the world. 

Cacao & Cacao

Stop for a rest and grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. This is a great cafe to get traditional Ecuadorian coffee or try Ecuadorian chocolate. There are several locations throughout Quito.

Eat Dinner at Cosa Nostra

Cost: $$

Hours: Sun: 12:30pm-8:30, Mon-Thurs: 12:30pm-10pm, Fri-Sat: 12:30-10:30

After spending the day touring Ecuador, you may be in need of some carbs and a taste of home. This pizza place serves true New York-style thin-crust pizza. They have a ton of different toppings and the service was super quick. 

If you have more than 2 days in Quito, make sure to take a day trip from Quito to one of the surrounding areas. There are so many adventures you can add on from Quito.

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